UT -- Ruby Murray, 18 months old, parents Mitchell and Carrie Murray arrested for murder and child abuse, March 19, 2025/Related to Chad Daybell

[wnk]

Totally get that. There is the post from after Ruby's death in which they are talking about going to Temple, and it appears to be both MM and CM both attending. Either way, I don't believe their faith had a bearing on their decisions to be terrible human beings at all. In fact, given this info:



and the fact we know vulnerable children who are visible to the community are overall 'more protected', being more involved might have protected Ruby.

We're not LDS, but we lived in Utah (not far from Nibley) through most of my kids' childhood. One thing I noticed about the culture was that -- because families tended to have more children -- there was a tendency to encourage childhood independence in ways that weren't always developmentally appropriate (for instance, having older siblings take on "caregiving" roles for younger siblings when they weren't really old enough to care for themselves), and there was a general attitude that having kids/babies shouldn't be an excuse for not doing all the things you did before. I can (unfortunately) see how those philosophies could lead to cases of neglect like this, when people take those ideas to an extreme.

 

[AhoyStarbuck]

This is something I am really wondering about.

There is a Facebook post MM made about a month after Ruby's death about them attending the temple. They're "active" enough to have temple recommends still. The funeral was very LDS. And most of the photos from Ruby's life in the funeral slideshow are taken at church.

I wonder if at some point during the winter/spring they quit taking her. Totally speculating. I also would love to know what ward members saw or thought.

(Full disclosure, I was raised LDS and quit attending in adulthood. I currently live in the heavily LDS community that Ruby"s family lives in.)

Again, thank you for the context, Knitting. I just thought I'd tie in the info we know about her weight at this point, too:

Ruby was consistently below-average weight at her well-child appointments, although we don't have information at this time about exact weight or even percentiles, just that Ruby was considered to be around in the 5th centile by the time of her death (some reports also say 17lbs at death which doesn't necessarily align). However, it appears there was some action taken because there were then two follow-up appointments (dates unknown) in which Ruby then gained weight. We don't know the increase, only that it did increase. We also don't know over how long a period this was noted.

Just from my past knowledge (which should ofc be taken with a grain of salt, not an expert), follow-ups for FTT on older children would be more spaced out because even what would want to be seen for catch up growth would be harder to notice within something like a week or two week timeframe. Generally, you'd want to see two good (either one at 10th percentile or close to what you would expect for catch up weight) weigh-ins that are at least a month apart to reduce concern.

Using that, we can construct a vague timeline:

Late September '24 - Ruby has 12-month wellchild appointment, is likely at 5th centile or below for age (~16lbs), triggering a need for follow-up appointments to monitor weight. Possible DCFS referral (Utah statutes does include FTT in their statute for Neglect).

Late October/early November '24 - Likely time for the first follow-up appointment. Ruby gains weight (unknown amount but would likely be between ~17-18lbs). Also around this time, this picture is posted:

Late December '24/Early January '25 - LIkely time for the second follow-up appointment/15-month wellchild appointment. Ruby gains weight (unknown amount, possibly up to 19.5lbs).

March 19, 2025 - Ruby is found deceased. Reports vary between Ruby being in the 5th centile (which would be 18lbs) and 17 lbs (which would be closer to 1st centile).

 

[knitting]

I wonder if they just put food out for him to graze on when he got home from daycare. I knew of a hospital daycare that fed them breakfast, lunch and dinner. Maybe his daycare did also. So he ate all 3 meals there. Maybe it was open 24hrs.

Do we know that he went to daycare? I was under the impression that Dad was home with both kids.

 

[knitting]

Thank you for posting this, Knitting. Do you have a source for the PCA, by chance? I looked into searching Utah's criminal record system, but it appears to be paywalled, and I am a Poor.

A few things about this that stand out:

1) The mention of the "poopy and soaked" diaper at 3:00am. Admittedly, it's been a while since I've dealt with the diaper department, but I remember sleep was more consolodated with less incidents of peeing throughout the night and less soaked through diapers. Definitely don't remember having poopy diapers in the middle of the night during this time.

Not overly significant, but I do wonder if maybe Ruby had an issue with this, and so MM/CM were withholding water and food to stop it from happening. Also makes me wonder if they ever even checked on her before they put themselves to sleep, although it very obviously doesn't seem like it. :/

2) CM went through "their" normal nightly routine, but then just describes the nightly routine for MM and herself. She showers and eats in bed, watches TV, and goes to sleep. What is happening with LM at this time? Ruby? Were they not bathing them at all?

Also, I know the parents described themselves as "not table people" or whatever, but holy moly. I can only imagine the crumbs in their bed. Secondly, my kiddo just barely turned 5, and we still have him with us to eat. We're not really strict dinner at the table people, but I'm still there to make sure he's eating the food, not making a mess, and has access to anything he needs (condiments, extra napkins, beverages, etc.). Obviously they were seriously neglecting/abusing Ruby, but I do wonder about LM and how he was treated, too...

3) CM gives that she wakes up at 4:15am and leaves around 5:00am. She said she assumes that MM would have taken care of RM, but like... you would know, you were home for almost an hour, even while getting ready. She also would have been in bed for another 15 minutes, so wouldn't she alert MM if he wasn't out of the bed? If she puts up a defense, I have a feeling she's going to throw MM under the bus. Zero lack of accountability.

4) Final thing is her sleeping 12 hours between 10pm-10am on 3/19/25. I get she worked two 12s, but it was also a Wednesday, and you would assume MM would be up. Was LM going to Pre-K at this time? Even if he wasn't, I know my kiddo is up by at least 8am, even if he goes to bed late. And if she's barely making breakfast for RM at this time, then it sounds like either MM wasn't awake or that she just assumes MM is not feeding Ruby breakfast at this point.

So many questions with this case... it's extremely sad.

Yes, I will get the PCA in a legible format and post it tomorrow. Thank you for your comments and questions.

 

[Stunned]

Do we know that he went to daycare? I was under the impression that Dad was home with both kids.

Oh I thought he did! I read it on here somewhere, I'll see if I can find it!

 

[Ruminations]

Kudos to a Mom who works such a long shift and who has to be away from her 18 month old child for such a long period! But what Mom comes home after being absent for over fourteen hours - showers, eats dinner in bed, watches a show with her husband and never once checks on/spends time with her child? This is the weirdest case I've ever seen?!!

She explains her routine as if it's perfectly normal? Peanut butter waffles at 1:00 AM? Bullshite!!

That's something that baffles me.

The family lived a socially connected life, it seems, especially mom. She seemed like a normal coworker to one of our peers on this thread. The family was involved with their church, right? Yet, they reported the most BIZARRE things, like "crib time," blasting music to aid a toddler's sleep, coming home from work and not greeting your baby, etc., as if it were normal. Wouldn't some feedback from people IRL help them learn that those things were not typical?

I had a child who would not eat food that was not white, beige or brown when they were about Ruby's age. Some food offerings were bizarre. But I knew they were and explained. I learned to preemptively explain why to put bbq sauce and absolutely not ketchup on the plate with the fries. I knew it was not normal.

MOO

 

[AhoyStarbuck]

Oh I thought he did! I read it on here somewhere, I'll see if I can find it!

No, I think there was some discussion about daycare being offered through the hospital CM worked at, but it appears that MM was in charge of watching the children throughout the day since he worked from home.

 

[knitting]

That's something that baffles me.

The family lived a socially connected life, it seems, especially mom. She seemed like a normal coworker to one of our peers on this thread. The family was involved with their church, right? Yet, they reported the most BIZARRE things, like "crib time," blasting music to aid a toddler's sleep, coming home from work and not greeting your baby, etc., as if it were normal. Wouldn't some feedback from people IRL help them learn that those things were not typical?

I had a child who would not eat food that was not white, beige or brown when they were about Ruby's age. Some food offerings were bizarre. But I knew they were and explained. I learned to preemptively explain why to put bbq sauce and absolutely not ketchup on the plate with the fries. I knew it was not normal.

MOO

It raises questions about what type of environment the parents were raised in and possibly how other family members treated their kids for sure. If they are openly talking to police about these behaviors, is there much worse happening? Is there anything they would be ashamed of? It is truly bizarre.

 

[knitting]

Thank you for posting this, Knitting. Do you have a source for the PCA, by chance? I looked into searching Utah's criminal record system, but it appears to be paywalled, and I am a Poor.

A few things about this that stand out:

1) The mention of the "poopy and soaked" diaper at 3:00am. Admittedly, it's been a while since I've dealt with the diaper department, but I remember sleep was more consolodated with less incidents of peeing throughout the night and less soaked through diapers. Definitely don't remember having poopy diapers in the middle of the night during this time.

Not overly significant, but I do wonder if maybe Ruby had an issue with this, and so MM/CM were withholding water and food to stop it from happening. Also makes me wonder if they ever even checked on her before they put themselves to sleep, although it very obviously doesn't seem like it. :/

2) CM went through "their" normal nightly routine, but then just describes the nightly routine for MM and herself. She showers and eats in bed, watches TV, and goes to sleep. What is happening with LM at this time? Ruby? Were they not bathing them at all?

Also, I know the parents described themselves as "not table people" or whatever, but holy moly. I can only imagine the crumbs in their bed. Secondly, my kiddo just barely turned 5, and we still have him with us to eat. We're not really strict dinner at the table people, but I'm still there to make sure he's eating the food, not making a mess, and has access to anything he needs (condiments, extra napkins, beverages, etc.). Obviously they were seriously neglecting/abusing Ruby, but I do wonder about LM and how he was treated, too...

3) CM gives that she wakes up at 4:15am and leaves around 5:00am. She said she assumes that MM would have taken care of RM, but like... you would know, you were home for almost an hour, even while getting ready. She also would have been in bed for another 15 minutes, so wouldn't she alert MM if he wasn't out of the bed? If she puts up a defense, I have a feeling she's going to throw MM under the bus. Zero lack of accountability.

4) Final thing is her sleeping 12 hours between 10pm-10am on 3/19/25. I get she worked two 12s, but it was also a Wednesday, and you would assume MM would be up. Was LM going to Pre-K at this time? Even if he wasn't, I know my kiddo is up by at least 8am, even if he goes to bed late. And if she's barely making breakfast for RM at this time, then it sounds like either MM wasn't awake or that she just assumes MM is not feeding Ruby breakfast at this point.

So many questions with this case... it's extremely sad.

Probable Cause Affidavits filed by arresting officer: MM'S is attached as screenshots, CM'S is pasted in text.


Warning: documents contain distressing details
contains some new info (new to me) Including details about the pediatrician appointments, the other child's routine, MM's work situation, poor Ruby's reactions to the neglect, CM's routine, autopsy info
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IN THE
1ST DISTRICT COURT - LOGAN
COUNTY OF CACHE, STATE OF UTAH
State of Utah

vs.

Arrestee
CARRIE MARIE MURRAY
Date of Birth: 7/01/1994

Affidavit of Probable Cause

On
12/03/2025 12:52
the defendant was arrested for the offense(s) of:

1
Offense Date 03/19/2025
Offense Description AGGRAVATED MURDER
Statute 76-5-202
Gov Code UT
Severity F1
DV No

2
03/19/2025
AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE -INTENTIONALLY OR KNOWINGLY
76-5-109.2(2)+(3A)
UT
F2
No

I believe there is probable cause to charge the defendant with these charges because:

On 03/19/2025 at approximately 1024 hours, Carrie Murray reported she had found her 18-month-old daughter R.M. deceased in her crib. As law enforcement and EMS responded, Dispatch attempted to get Carrie to begin life-saving efforts, however, Carrie informed Dispatch that she was a nurse and she believed the child to be beyond help. When paramedics arrived, they hooked the child to leads to confirm she was not alive and informed law enforcement they believed rigor had already set in on R.M.

Carrie Murray informed law enforcement the last R.M. had been seen alive was approximately 16 hours earlier at about 1800 hours on 03/18/2025 and it was her husband, Mitchell Murray who had checked on her at that time. Mitchell informed law enforcement he had reviewed baby monitor footage prior to law enforcement's arrival and informed them he saw movement in the crib around 0200 on the morning of 03/19/2025.

The child's crib was in a bedroom where there was a space heater running, which was set to 68 degrees Fahrenheit and was noticeably warmer than the rest of the home. The crib was also covered with a mesh canopy to prevent a child from climbing out. R.M. was wearing long sleeve, footed pajamas and a sleep sack. Inside the crib were several blankets, which it was later learned were placed in the crib to prevent R.M. from intentionally hitting her head on the side of the crib. Also in the crib were several sippy cups and a large amount of pieces of Eggo-style waffle. The interior of the crib was very dirty with old pieces of food. Underneath the mattress was trash, wrappers, and more waffle particles. The responding Medical Examiner Investigator found the ambient temperature at the crib level in R.M.'s room was 77 degrees Fahrenheit. R.M.'s body temperature was measured at 83 degrees Fahrenheit.

A search warrant was obtained for the home. During service of the search warrant, the space heater, a baby monitor camera system, the crib netting, an Amazon Alexa device, baby bottles, an Apple iPad, a laptop, two desk top computers, the space heater from the child's room, and an inflatable toy from the child's room were seized.

On 03/19/2025, Carrie and Mitchell were interviewed at the Cache County Sheriff's Office. Carrie informed investigators the last time she had seen R.M. was on 03/17/2025 at approximately 0300 hours when R.M. woke her up crying. Carrie informed investigators she changed R.M.'s diaper which was poopy and soaked. Carrie also stated she gave R.M. a snack and either milk or water. Carrie said she left for work at Logan Regional Hospital at approximately 0500 and returned home at 1700 hours. Carrie described going through their normal nightly routine where she would shower and then eat dinner in bed while her and Mitchell would watch a show. Carrie informed investigators she did not see R.M. on 03/17/2025 when she returned home from work.

Carrie told investigators that she did not see R.M. on the day of 03/18/2025, however, she did hear her crying at around 0400, but she had to get up to get ready for work at 0415, so she figured Mitch would take care of it. Carrie described getting home at a similar time on 03/17/2025 and going through her normal routine of taking a shower, eating dinner in bed, and watching a TV show. Carrie estimated she fell asleep around 2000 hours on 03/18/2025.

Carrie then walked investigators though the events of 03/19/2025. She informed them she had woken up at approximately 1000 hours and then went to the kitchen to get food, including two waffles with peanut butter on them for R.M. Carrie then described going to R.M.'s room and finding her deceased. She noted the door was closed and the mesh was zipped up when she went to R.M.'s room.

Carrie was asked about the blankets in R.M.'s crib and informed investigators that they were there to prevent R.M. from hitting her head against the side of the crib. Carrie stated R.M. had a habit of intentionally banging her head on the side of the crib. When asked why R.M. might be doing this and said it might be due to boredom or might be a way to comfort herself.

Carrie was asked by investigators about R.M.'s food and water intake and were informed R.M. was provided a sippy cup in the morning and the evening. Carrie also informed investigators that R.M. was usually fed waffles for all of her meals and she typically ate them in her crib because they are not table people and R.M. never liked someone to feed her.

Carrie informed investigators she had not viewed the baby monitor app in months and adjusted the notification settings to get less notifications. Carrie stated it was normal for R.M. to sleep with the heater on, with pajamas, and a sleep sack. When asked if R.M. ever woke up sweaty, Carrie replied that R.M. would get that way and mentioned the other day R.M. felt warm when she first got up, but added she would hope R.M. would let them know if she were too hot.

Carrie was asked how often R.M. would remain in her crib all day and was informed that it was perhaps once per week while she was watching her, but mentioned how the past fall it was more often and that Mitchell would leave R.M. in the bed more often than she did. Carrie was then asked about her four-year-old child, L.M.'s routine. Carrie stated she did not know what time L.M. gets up in the morning, but said she is pretty sure he sleeps at night even though he is allowed to watch TV shows on a TV in his room all night. Carrie also noted L.M. sometimes falls asleep during the day.

Mitchell was interviewed and explained that he works from home and takes care of the children during the day. He explained he works in data migration, but his job does not require his full attention, which allowed him to game on his PC and work on commissioned artwork and graphic design during the day. Mitchell explained L.M. is very self-sufficient and does not typically need a lot of help during the day. When asked about R.M.'s daily routine while he was working, Mitchell explained what he termed crib days. He explained that crib days were days where R.M. remained in her crib all day while he worked. He claimed this would occur one to two days per week. Mitchell said she would be given food, water, and attention in her crib. When asked to describe that, Mitchell said she would get breakfast in bed, a diaper change, and he would make sure the temperature was good and give her some toys. Mitchell further explained that he would check on her at lunch and then again at the end of the day, going into her room two to three times during the day.

Mitchell was asked about the space heater in the room and the temperature in the room. Mitchell explained the space heater was in the room as the house was set to 63 degrees Fahrenheit, but the space heater in R.M.'s room was set between 65 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, but said in the days preceding 03/19/2025, the room had been warmer due to higher outside temperatures.

When asked about the baby monitor, Mitchell said he did not really review the footage and it had mainly been for when R.M. was younger. He said it would send notifications when R.M. was crying, but he didn't check the camera often.

Investigators were able to access camera footage from the baby monitor in the room going back to 1602 hours on 03/14/2025 up until 1022 hours on 03/19/2025 when Carrie entered the room and discovered R.M. deceased. Between 1602 and 2359 on 03/14/2025, it is observed that Carrie and Mitchell have approximately 36 minutes and 6 seconds of interaction with R.M. (For the purposes of this Statement of Probable Cause, interaction means human presence in the bedroom other than R.M.) It was observed when R.M. was left in the room, Mitchell turned up the volume of the music on the Amazon Alexa in the room, playing rock and pop music. At 2249 hours, it was observed the Amazon Alexa began playing When September Ends by Green Day on repeat. The only food or liquid observed being given to R.M. during the recorded portion of 03/14/2025 occurred at 2140 when Mitchell put a bottle in the crib. During this time frame, R.M.'s diaper was changed once at 1941 hours.

On 03/15/2025, there was footage of the entire day, from 0000 hours until 2359 hours. Review of that footage showed R.M. was allowed out of the crib for one hour and twenty-six minutes. The total interaction Carrie, Mitchell, and L.M. had with R.M. on 03/15/2025 was 31 minutes and 38 seconds. At 0837 hours, L.M. put two bottles in R.M.'s crib and Carrie put two waffles in the crib. At 1820 hours, a bowl with an unknown substance and a sippy cup were put into the crib by Carrie. At 2123 hours, Mitchell put a sippy cup in the crib. R.M.'s diaper was changed three times. At 1253 hours, at 1710 hours, and at 1820 hours.

On 03/16/2025, there was footage of the entire day, from 0000 hours until 2359 hours. Review of that footage showed R.M. was allowed out of the crib for four hours and forty-four minutes. The majority of that time R.M. was left alone on her bedroom floor. The total interaction Carrie, Mitchell, and L.M. had with R.M. on 03/16/2025 was nine minutes and forty-two seconds. R.M. was given waffles and two bottles while on the floor by Carrie at 0902 hours.
At 1417 hours, R.M. was given a sippy cup and waffles by Mitchell while in her crib. At 1921 hours, R.M. was given a sippy cup. R.M.'s diaper was changed once on 03/16/2025, at 0852 hours.

On 03/17/2025, there was footage of the entire day, from 0000 hours until 2359 hours. Review of that footage showed R.M. was allowed out of the crib for approximately five minutes, all of which took place during two diaper changes, one at 0247 hours and another at 1830 hours. R.M. was given a sippy by Carrie at 0253 along with some type of wafer/bar. An additional two wafers/bars were dropped into the crib at this time. At 1124 hours, Mitchell placed a bottle and a waffle in the crib. At 1833 hours, Mitchell placed a sippy cup and a waffle in the crib. The total interaction Carrie, Mitchell, and L.M. had with R.M. on 03/17/2025 was seven minutes and six seconds.

On 03/18/2025, there was footage of the entire day, from 0000 hours until 2359 hours. Review of that footage showed R.M. was never removed from her crib on 03/18/2025. Mitchell placed a sippy cup and a waffle in the crib with R.M. at 1157 hours and again at 1829 hours. The total interaction Carrie, Mitchell, and L.M. had with R.M. on 03/18/2025 was 49 seconds. R.M.'s diaper was not changed on 03/18/2025.

Investigators reviewed the camera footage from 0000 hours on 03/19/2025 until R.M. was found deceased by Carrie at 1022 hours. R.M. is observed moving and making noises throughout the night including crying, whimpering, and gasping. The last sound or movement observed on the video that can definitively be attributed to R.M. was at 0521 hours with additional possible sounds from R.M. at 0526 and 0527 hours.

It was note by investigators who reviewed the entirety of the video footage from 03/14/2025 through 03/19/2025 that R.M. did not exhibit normal sleeping patterns for a child and did not seem to differentiate night from day. It was also observed that there was loud rock/pop music played through the Amazon Alexa in R.M.'s room that appeared to interfere with her ability to sleep at times.

On March 26, 2025, a second set of interviews were conducted with Carrie and Mitchell at the Cache County Sheriff's Office. Carrie was interviewed and asked questions about R.M.'s life from birth until her death. Carrie stated that R.M. was not exactly reaching her milestones and informed investigators their pediatrician wanted us
to feed her more. When asked if they had fed her more, Carrie responded by saying I think so. Carrie
additionally stated she believed R.M. was good with what she got. Carrie further stated the pediatrician had talked with them about an Up to 3 evaluation for R.M., however they had not followed through on it.

When asked about the amount of time Mitchell and herself interacted with R.M., she explained the five days previous to R.M.'s death were pretty typical, however, Carrie admitted they had less interaction with R.M. the previous fall. When there were follow-up questions asked about the fall, Carrie admitted R.M. had been left in her crib more in the fall. When asked about the hygiene habits in the home, Carrie explained they bathed R.M. once per week or maybe once every ten days. Carrie further told investigators that for the past two weeks, R.M. had been upset and they did not know why, but thought it might be an ear infection or teething. When asked about when the last time R.M. would have been fed a meal other than waffles, Carrie could not give a time other than saying she had made a quesadilla somewhat recently.

When asked about feeding habits for R.M., Carrie informed investigators she had only eaten baby food once or twice. Carrie further stated R.M. would be fed three times per day in addition to one to two snacks. Carrie also stated R.M. would be given a drink every time she was fed and they would try to give her water in between feedings.

Carrie was asked about the music playing in R.M.'s room and explained they would play Fallout Boy and Green Day at night and R.M. would fall asleep to it. Carrie explained it would play all night but she did not believe R.M. needed music to sleep.

Carrie explained she had worked in health care since she was 18-years-old and became licensed as a registered nurse at 21-years-old. She explained in her work she ensured patients were provided medicine, that they were showered, and they were fed, along with other medical work.

When asked if she had any thoughts to why R.M. had died, Carrie stated her biggest guess is SIDS, but acknowledged R.M. was older than typical for a SIDS death. Carrie further stated it was her time I guess. She further stated I feel guilt really strong I feel no guilt over this.

Mitchell was also interviewed again. He told investigators R.M. was well fed, got the fluids she needed, and was nutritionally taken care of. He further stated they provided a hygienic clean environment. Mitchell claimed that R.M. was fed at minimum three times per day and given two to three bottles of milk and two bottles of water. He added there was always something in her crib if she needed it.

Mitchell claimed that he changed R.M.'s diaper at least twice per day and as needed in between. He further claimed he last changed R.M.'s diaper on the night of 03/18/2025, however, this was not true as evidence by the video footage from R.M.'s room.

Mitchell was also asked about the music that was heard consistently playing in R.M.'s room. Mitchell sated they played music while R.M. slept or when she started crying. Mitchell stated it was typically Green Day, Fallout Boy, or Panic! At the Disco, but was unsure if R.M. actually needed this music playing to sleep.

When asked about the amount of time R.M. was left in her crib and her interactions with Carrie and himself, Mitchell told investigators this last week is indicative of the last six months.

When confronted with the amount of time he and his wife had spent with R.M. in the last days of her life, Mitchell became emotional and stated you are supposed to spend as much time on her as you do on yourself. He further stated she's a person. And admitted R.M. could not do those things referring to providing for herself. Mitchell further admitted it should never have happened.

A review of R.M.'s medical records showed that at her 12 month appointment on 10/09/2024, her parents were told R.M.'s weight was down eight ounces and measured her weight at 7.66 kilograms. The doctor recommended calorie packing and giving her high calorie drinks before bed. At a subsequent visit on 11/06/2024, R.M.'s weight had improved to 8.33 kilograms. At R.M.'s fifteen month appointment on 01/06/2025, R.M. weighed 8.58 kilograms, which was approximately the sixteenth percentile for a child of her age. At that appointment, the doctor noted R.M. did not meet milestones and recommended an Up to 3 evaluation if R.M. was not making progress towards walking or speech within the next month, however, there were no records of a follow up appointment. At this appointment, it was also noted the parents were provided information regarding proper nutrition.

The heater that had been present in the room with R.M. was sent to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Fire Research Laboratory. Testing was conducted on the heater, which included building a room to similar dimensions of R.M.'s room to conduct functionality testing. The testing showed that the heater was functioning as designed and would shut off when the ambient room temperature raised to a value higher than the temperature setting of the heater, however, the testing noted the area directly in front of the heater were significantly higher than those of ambient room temperatures. Overall, the testing showed there was no evidence of component failure and the heater functioned as expected with respect to the cycling of the heater elements relative to the thermostat set point when set to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

An autopsy was conducted on R.M. at the Office of the Medical Examiner on 03/20/2025. Based on the findings of the autopsy, it was determined R.M.'s cause of death was dehydration and undernutrition. There was no finding of any underlying medical condition that would have contributed to R.M.'s death. At the time of the autopsy, R.M. weighed 8 kilograms, which would put her under the fifth percentile for a child of her age.

Based on the information gathered through this investigation, your affiant has probable cause to believe Carrie and Mitchell Murray's conduct towards their child, R.M., evidenced a depraved indifference to human life, and knowingly engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of death to R.M. thereby causing her death by failing to provide her with the appropriate nutrition and hydration leading to her death from dehydration and undernutrition. This is evidence by both the lack of quantity and quality of the food provided to R.M. during the last days of her life and her parents admissions that their treatment of R.M. during this time frame was typical for the past six months. It is further evidence by both parents' statements about how much food and hydration they should be providing to R.M. and Carrie's training and experience in the medical field. Furthermore, at the time of her death, R.M. was under the age of 14 years old.

Additionally, your affiant has probable cause to believe Carrie and Mitchell acted with reckless indifference to human life, causing the death of R.M. incident to a course of conduct where they were a major participant in the commission of aggravated child abuse. Specifically, that Carrie and Mitchell knowingly or intentionally inflicted
serious physical injury upon R.M. by engaging in conduct toward R.M. that resulted in severe emotional harm, severe developmental delay or intellectual disability, or severe impairment of the child's ability to function; conduct involving unreasonable forcible restriction of R.M.'s movements, including confining R.M. in an enclosed space; conduct which involved unreasonably subjecting R.M. to excessive heat, darkness, solitary confinement, or sleep deprivation; and conduct that resulted in starvation, dehydration, failure to thrive, or malnutrition, that jeopardized R.M.'s life or seriously injured the child's physical or mental well-being or development.

I believe these to be additional condition(s) for continued detention:

The current offense is a felony. There is substantial evidence to support the charge, and through clear and convincing evidence would constitute a substantial danger to another individual or the community, or is likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court if released on bail.
This is a felony with clear and convincing evidence to support the charge based on the aforementioned facts.

OFFICER NAME: C ATWOOD
I am a sworn officer with CACHE COUNTY SHERIFF

 

[Fairy1]

This case is devastatingly heartbreaking. Why even have children? Poor little ones - both of them.

 

[Tricia]

If you love that Websleuths is ad-free and doesn’t crash anymore, think about becoming a Websleuths Guardian for just $3 a month

You’ll get fun perks like our monthly Zoom call with the mods, extra time to edit your posts, and more. And your $3 helps keep Websleuths running smoothly and completely ad-free.
Click here for all the details.
And yes… here’s a picture of a cute baby platypus called a puggle.
It has absolutely nothing to do with Websleuths — I just figured it might make you want to give us $3 a month.